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The Mooer Micro Preamp Live brings Mooer's modelled preamps together in a compact and user-friendly pedal, designed for both live and studio use. Calling it just a "preamp" doesn't quite do it justice, as it also includes switchable power amp and cabinet simulations, essentially offering a complete amp rig. Added features such as an FX loop, pre and post-boosters, and an integrated pre- and post-noise gate are also included. Full control is available through free desktop and mobile software, as well as MIDI capabilities. A particularly appealing feature is the Tone Capture function, which allows the user's own amp sound to be captured and stored. Put together, all of these features mean guitarists get a near-complete package at a highly competitive price.
The Micro Preamp Live offers digital emulations of 50 well-known preamps, accessible via four preset footswitches across three banks. From clean to crunch to high-gain, all styles are covered, ensuring a sound match for nearly every player. The straightforward pedal features high-quality rotary knobs for volume, gain, a three-band EQ, a global master and presence control, and a boost that can also function as a noise gate. It is possible to activate one of 30 cab simulations and run the signal directly to a PA system via the XLR output, or bypass the simulation and connect to an amp's FX return. The device also includes connections for MIDI, an FX loop, and a USB port, which allows for detailed editing on a computer. Through this connection, cab, and microphone simulations can be adjusted, or custom impulse responses can be uploaded to the unit.
As the name suggests, the Mooer Micro Preamp Live is built for live musicians. Its sturdy construction and practical interface make it ideal for the stage. Settings can be saved as presets by simply holding down one of the four footswitches, while the pre and post-boost functions can be activated with a second press of the selected preset. This amp proves that a variety of sound options can be delivered without excessive features or complexity and provides more than enough tonal flexibility for live performances, without the need for a bulky rig. This sonic diversity also works well in the studio, making it a valuable tool for creative projects. With a wide range of amp options available at a relatively low cost, the Micro Preamp Live stands out from the competition.
Mooer is based in the Chinese city of Shenzhen and has been making products for guitarists since 2010, which include compact single pedals through to multi-effects units and compact amplifiers. The company initially produced a range of mini pedals before making perhaps its most significant breakthrough in 2016 with the sophisticated Ocean Machine delay pedal, which was designed in collaboration with Devin Townsend. Mooer's product range now also includes solutions that feature amp modelling, IR-based speaker simulation, and matching equalisers, and the company's focus remains firmly on the use of digital technology.
Whether for studio use, quiet practice at home through the headphone output, or regular live performances, the Micro Preamp Live is versatile in any setting, but is especially flexible for live use thanks to its numerous routing options. It is possible, for example, to use only the power amp and speaker of an existing amplifier. The simplest setup is to go directly into the mixer using the cab simulation and D.I. output, eliminating the need to haul heavy amps. For those wanting to bring their specific amp sound, the Tone Capture function makes it easy to capture the sound and save it as a preset in advance. Everything is simple and can even be adjusted quickly before a gig via Bluetooth using the free mobile app.
The Tone Capture function analyses the frequency response of an input signal, such as the preamp sound of a favourite tube amplifier. The amplifier must be connected using the four-cable method, as detailed in the manual. The guitar is then played across the full frequency spectrum (high and low notes) to allow for accurate analysis. Based on this data, a digital equaliser modifies a selected preamp model that already closely resembles the original amplifier, so it matches the input signal. This allows the preamp sound of one of the user's own amplifiers to be emulated and stored as a preset.